Cigar and cigarette ash collecting bib

ABSTRACT

An ash collecting bib according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes an upper panel including an attachment clip panel, and a lower panel including a collecting pouch. A connecting joint connects the upper panel and the lower panel. An attachment clip is coupled to the attachment clip panel of the upper panel. The attachment clip is rotatably coupled to the attachment clip panel.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This U.S. Non-Provisional Patent Application claims priority to U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 62/331,357, filed on May 3, 2016, thedisclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an ash collecting bib. More particular,exemplary embodiments of the present invention related to an ashcollecting bib for collecting cigar and cigarette ash. One or moreexemplary embodiments of the present invention relate to collectingcigar and cigarette ash dropped by an operator or a passenger in anautomobile or other motorized vehicle.

BACKGROUND

Individuals smoking cigars or cigarettes in a vehicle, such as anautomobile may drop ashes onto their lap, clothing or elsewhere in thevehicle. This may result in damage to the individual's clothing, or tothe interior of the automobile. Additionally, a driver of an automobilemay be burned by hot ashes falling from their cigar or cigarette, orthey may be distracted if hot ash contacts the individual's skin, orotherwise distracts them.

An effort may be made to discard the ash of cigars or cigarettes out ofa window of an automobile, however, such efforts may still result indamage to clothing, or safety risks if the hot ash contact's anindividual's skin.

Thus, it may be desirable to have a comfortable and easy to useseparation device between an individual's skin and clothing. Such adevice may prevent damage to an individual's clothing or to an interiorof a vehicle. Additionally, such a device may safely prevent hot ashfrom contacting an individual's skin.

SUMMARY

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide an ash collectingbib. The ash collecting bib includes an upper panel including anattachment clip panel, and a lower panel including a collecting pouch. Aconnecting joint connects the upper panel and the lower panel. Anattachment clip is coupled to the attachment clip panel of the upperpanel. The attachment clip is rotatably coupled to the attachment clippanel.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, thecollecting pouch may be formed by folding a lower portion of the lowerpanel.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, thefolded lower portion of the lower panel forming the collecting pouch maybe secured by at least one pouch bolt.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, thefolded lower portion of the lower portion forming the collecting pouchmay be secured by at least one rivet.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, theattachment clip panel may include two or more layers.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, theattachment clip panel may include three or more layers.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, thecollecting pouch may have a substantially elliptical shape.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, thecollecting pouch may have a substantially rectangular shape.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, thecollecting pouch may include a front portion and a rear portion, and thefront portion may be heat fused to the rear portion.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, theattachment clip may be rotatably coupled to a rear of the upper panel.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, theattachment clip may be coupled to a rotating attachment clip mount.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, therotating attachment clip mount may include a rotating attachment clipmount stop.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, theconnecting joint may have a bend of between 5 and 30 degrees withrespect to the upper and lower panels.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a centeropening of the collecting pouch may be from about 0.5 inches to about1.5 inches wide.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a centeropening of the collecting pouch may be about 1 inch wide.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, theattachment clip may be rotatable 360 degrees.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, theattachment clip may be coupled to the attachment panel at an angle ofplus or minus about 45 degrees with respect to a center line that isperpendicular to the connecting joint.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, theattachment clip may be configured to be coupled to a safety belt of avehicle.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, thevehicle may be a motorized vehicle.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, themotorized vehicle may be an automobile.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The above and other features of the present invention will become moreapparent by describing in detail exemplary embodiments thereof, withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an ash collecting bib coupled to a seat belt in amotor vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of an ash collecting bib according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates an attachment clip panel of an ash collecting bibaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a collecting pouch of an ash collecting bib pouchhaving a center dimension according to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates a side view of a collecting pouch of an ashcollecting bib according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of an attachment clip panel of an ashcollecting bib according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 7 illustrates rear view of an ash collecting bib according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 illustrates an attachment clip of an ash collecting bib accordingto an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 illustrates an attachment clip of an ash collecting bib accordingto an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 illustrates a connection joint of an ash collecting bibaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 illustrates a connection joint of an ash collecting bibaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 illustrates a front view of an ash collecting bib according toan exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 illustrates a top view of an ash collecting bib coupled to aseat belt in a motor vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention may provide an ashcollecting bib catching falling ash of a cigar or cigarette of a user(e.g., a driver or passenger) of a vehicle, such as an automobile.

FIG. 1 illustrates an ash collecting bib coupled to a seat belt in amotor vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

Referring to FIG. 1, an ash collecting bib 100 may be coupled to a seatbelt 110 with a front of the ash collecting bib 120 facing away from theuser's chest. For example, the ash collecting bib 100 may be coupled toa shoulder belt.

FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of an ash collecting bib according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 illustrates anattachment clip panel of an ash collecting bib according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 illustrates a collectingpouch of an ash collecting bib pouch having a center dimension accordingto an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 illustratesa side view of a collecting pouch of an ash collecting bib according toan exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 illustrates aside view of an attachment clip panel of an ash collecting bib accordingto an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 illustratesrear view of an ash collecting bib according to an exemplary embodimentof the present invention. FIG. 8 illustrates an attachment clip of anash collecting bib according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention. FIG. 9 illustrates an attachment clip of an ash collectingbib according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 2-9, the ash collecting bib 100 may include an upperpanel 201 including an attachment clip panel 301, and a lower panel 203including a collecting pouch 206. A connecting joint 202 connects theupper panel 201 and the lower panel 203. An attachment clip 701 iscoupled to the attachment clip panel 301 of the upper panel 201. Theattachment clip 701 is rotatably coupled to the attachment clip panel301. The attachment clip 701 may be secured to the attachment clip panel301 by at least one attachment clip bolt 210, which may pass through theattachment clip panel 301 and may be coupled to one or more washers andone or more nuts to rotatably secure the attachment clip 701 to theattachment clip panel 301.

The attachment clip 701 may be configured to be coupled to the seat belt110; however, the attachment clip 701 may also be configured to becoupled to a user's shirt or to another garment worn by the user.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, thecollecting pouch 206 may be formed by folding a lower portion of thelower panel 203. For example, a bottom 1 to 2 inches of the lower panel203 may be folded along a line that is parallel to the connection joint202.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, thefolded lower portion of the lower portion forming the collecting pouchmay be secured by at least one pouch bolt (e.g., a first pouch bolt 204and/or a second pouch bolt 205). The at least one pouch bolt may passthrough one or more outer ends of the collecting pouch 206 and may becoupled to one or more washers and one or more nuts to secure the outerends of the collecting pouch 206.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, thefolded lower portion of the lower panel 203 forming the collecting pouch206 may be secured by at least one rivet. The at least one rivet maysecure corners or outer ends of the collecting pouch 206.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, theattachment clip panel 301 may include two or more layers. According toanother exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the attachmentclip panel 301 may include three or more layers. The multiple layers ofthe attachment clip panel 301 may provide a secure point of attachmentfor the attachment clip 701. The attachment clip panel 301 may besubstantially as wide as the as collecting bib 100; however theattachment clip panel 301 may also be relatively narrower than thecollecting bib 100. For example, the attachment clip panel 301 may onlybe disposed at a center region of the upper end of the upper panel 201to provide a secure attachment point for the attachment clip 701.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, thecollecting pouch 206 may have a substantially elliptical shape.According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, thecollecting pouch 206 may have a substantially rectangular shape.However, exemplary embodiments of the present invention are not limitedthereto, and the collecting pouch 206 may have any desired shape.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, thecollecting pouch 206 may include a front portion 402 and a rear portion403. A center opening 401 having a width dimension may be defined by thefront portion 402 and the rear portion 403. The front portion 402 may beheat fused to the rear portion 403, which may form a collecting pouchseam 501 along an outer edge of the collecting pouch 501. Thus, thecollecting pouch 206 may be sealed on 3 sides.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, theattachment clip 701 may be rotatably coupled to a rear of the ashcollecting bib 702 (e.g., at the upper panel 201).

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, theattachment clip 701 may be coupled to a rotating attachment clip mount801.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, therotating attachment clip mount 801 may include a rotating attachmentclip mount stop 802. However, exemplary embodiments of the presentinvention are not limited thereto, and the rotating attachment clipmount stop 802 may be disengaged or omitted to allow the ash collectingbib 100 to rotate freely with gravity about the attachment clip 701.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, theattachment clip 701 may be rotatable 360 degrees. Thus, the ashcollecting bib 100 may be adjusted to be attached at virtually any anglein substantially any vehicle. The ash collecting bib 100 may be adjustedto be used by either a driver or a passenger of the vehicle.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, theattachment clip 701 may be coupled to the attachment clip panel 301 atan angle of plus or minus about 45 degrees with respect to a center linethat is perpendicular to the connecting joint 202. The angle of theattachment clip 701 may allow the ash collecting bib 100 to hang in asubstantially straight up and down configuration with the collectingpouch 206 in a substantially horizontal state.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, theattachment clip 701 may be configured to be coupled to a safety belt ofany vehicle. The vehicle may be a motorized vehicle, such as anautomobile.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the ashcollecting bib 100 may be fire retardant or fire proof. The ashcollecting bib 100 may include one or more fire retardant or fire proofmaterials. For example, the ash collecting bib 100 may include aplastic, silicon, or a cooking grade polymer. Each of the bolts,washers, screws, rivets, washers, attachment implements and the likedescribed herein may include metal and/or plastic. However, exemplaryembodiments of the present invention are not limited thereto and the ashcollecting bib 100 and/or the bolts, washers, screws, rivets, washers,attachment implements and the like described herein may include anydesired material.

The ash collecting bib 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention may be about 11 inches wide and about 17 inches long.However, exemplary embodiments of the present invention are not limitedthereto, and the ash collecting bib 100 may have any desired dimensions.

FIG. 10 illustrates a connection joint of an ash collecting bibaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11illustrates a connection joint of an ash collecting bib according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, according to an exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention, the connecting joint 202 may have a bend ofbetween 5 and 30 degrees with respect to the upper panel 201 and thelower panel 203. That is, the lower panel 203 may be bent forward from auser's chest to better collect ash falling from above in the collectingpouch 206. Additionally, a back of the upper panel 1001 and a back ofthe lower panel 1002 may be spaced apart from each other by about 185 toabout 210 degrees when the connecting joint 202 has the bend of between5 and 30 degrees.

FIG. 12 illustrates a front view of an ash collecting bib according toan exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 illustrates atop view of an ash collecting bib coupled to a seat belt in a motorvehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 12 and 13, According to an exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention, the center opening 401 of the collecting pouch206 may be from about 0.5 inches to about 1.5 inches wide. According toan exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the center opening 401of the collecting pouch 206 may be about 1 inch wide. However, exemplaryembodiments of the present invention are not limited thereto, and thecenter opening 401 of the collecting pouch 206 may be any desired width.

The disclosures of each of the references, patents and published patentapplications disclosed herein are each hereby incorporated by referenceherein in their entireties.

In the event of a conflict between a definition herein and a definitionincorporated by reference, the definition provided herein is intended.

Having described exemplary embodiments of the present invention, it isfurther noted that it is readily apparent to those of ordinary skill inthe art that various modifications may be made without departing fromthe spirit and scope of the present invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. An ash collecting bib, comprising: an upper panelcomprising an attachment clip panel; a lower panel comprising acollecting pouch; a connecting joint connecting the upper panel and thelower panel; an attachment clip coupled to the attachment clip panel ofthe upper panel, wherein the attachment clip is rotatably coupled to theattachment clip panel.
 2. The ash collecting bib of claim 1, wherein thecollecting pouch is formed by folding a lower portion of the lowerpanel.
 3. The ash collecting bib of claim 2, wherein the folded lowerportion of the lower portion forming the collecting pouch is secured byat least one pouch bolt.
 4. The ash collecting bib of claim 2, whereinthe folded lower portion of the lower portion forming the collectingpouch is secured by at least one rivet.
 5. The ash collecting bib ofclaim 1, wherein the attachment clip panel comprises two or more layers.6. The ash collecting bib of claim 1, wherein the attachment clip panelcomprises three or more layers.
 7. The ash collecting bib of claim 1,wherein the collecting pouch has a substantially elliptical shape. 8.The ash collecting bib of claim 1, wherein the collecting pouch has asubstantially rectangular shape.
 9. The ash collecting bib of claim 1,wherein the collecting pouch comprises a front portion and a rearportion, and wherein the front portion is heat fused to the rearportion.
 10. The ash collecting bib of claim 1, wherein the attachmentclip is rotatably coupled to a rear of the upper panel.
 11. The ashcollecting bib of claim 1, wherein the attachment clip is coupled to arotating attachment clip mount.
 12. The ash collecting bib of claim 11,wherein the rotating attachment clip mount comprises a rotatingattachment clip mount stop.
 13. The ash collecting bib of claim 1,wherein the connecting joint has a bend of between 5 and 30 degrees withrespect to the upper and lower panels.
 14. The ash collecting bib ofclaim 1, wherein a center opening of the collecting pouch is from about0.5 inches to about 1.5 inches.
 15. The ash collecting bib of claim 1,wherein a center opening of the collecting pouch is about 1 inch. 16.The ash collecting bib of claim 1, wherein the attachment clip isrotatable 360 degrees.
 17. The ash collecting bib of claim 1, whereinthe attachment clip is coupled to the attachment panel at an angle ofplus or minus about 45 degrees with respect to a center line that isperpendicular to the connecting joint.
 18. The ash collecting bib ofclaim 1, wherein the attachment clip is configured to be coupled to asafety belt of a vehicle.
 19. The ash collecting bib of claim 18,wherein the vehicle is a motorized vehicle.
 20. The ash collecting bibof claim 19, wherein the motorized vehicle is an automobile.